POEM

....because Africa lives in me

I was born out of the soil of Africa.

The warm breeze blew through the tilted fields

As my ancestors ululated with praise.

Drums roared on the Atlas Mountains,

To compliment the ululations that pierced through the Karoo plain lands.

It was a time to sing and dance

Because my African mother had conceived the future.

I had survived the eye of the bullet

That tore through the peaceful African arcade. Lives were lost as bullets were sprayed Colonisers had earlier marched in, Ranching up on our promised land.

My mother’s torn tennis shoes became a flap As she ran to neighbours screaming horror scenes. Together they stood united for the cause.

An arm for an arm, a spear for a spear To re-inherit the inheritance left by our elders.

They refused to author Africa’s last chapter Because they knew Africa belonged to the future. And so they taught us to be brave

To respect

To love

To cherish

To embrace one another for prosperity to prevail.

My heart is Africa’s home. Every African has a home in my heart. Discrimination of one’s nationality doesn’t define me, Because when I was born, God made me a citizen of Africa. I am the custodian of peace.

My mother wanted me to be the unifier Because when I was born, Africa lived in me.

So I sang a song that sounded on mountain high ‘NO TO XENOPHOBIA - THE HATE HURTS HURTS’